Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal disease worldwide and difficult to manage and control, with a current prevalence of 14% according to Rome II criteria in Colombia, tending to increase. Its origin is multifactorial and a common origin has not been established, association was found between IBS and the presence of anxiety and depression.Methodology: Cross-sectional study with a exploratory component of the association of anxiety and depression with IBS, consecutive sample of 315 patients was calculated using Epi Info stat calc taking a prevalence of 14%, with an expected number of 1200 patients per month. Patients attending the outpatient gastroenterology service of the PHI (provider of health institution) CAFAM between 8 and 29 November 2010 were selected, the survey was administered to measure demographic factors, to establish a diagnosis of IBS by Rome III criteria and for depression and anxiety the ZUNG scale. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 18.0 and EPI INFO version 3.5.1.Results: The prevalence of IBS in gastroenterology outpatients service was 23% (n 63) and 95% (18% -28%). We found a significant association between female gender (p = 0,035), the age group 31 to 55 (p = 0.043), and a strong association between severe depression and irritable bowel syndrome (p = 0.08). No association between IBS and anxiety was found.Discussion: there are some risk factors related to the presence of IBS, such as gender, age and severe depression documented in the literature (22). It was noted that severe depression is significantly associated with IBS, but not anxiety in any way at all, more studies are needed that contribute to verify the existence and the strength of such association and thus provide more evidence to encourage and promote the multidisciplinary management of depression in patients with IBS. Key words: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders. Depression
